Originally Posted By: MADMIKE
Took the advice given from my previous post about the S & W Sigma series and just bought a new revolver--a Ruger SP101 .357 Mag with a 3" barrel ($449.00)---does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of this gun? It seems very well made and feels very good in my hand. My next question---would I be better off with +P .38 special loads (Cor-Bon +P .38 spl 125 gr JHP) or low recoil .357 loads like the Remington Medium Velocity 125 gr JHP or a lighter, faster 110 grain JHP? I have no experience firing .357 Mags, just .38 specials, so I'm concerned about recoil/accuracy. (the gun is for home defense only) Thanks!
It is a fine weapon. I have owned mine for a couple of years now. It is the wife's gun and is shown in the picture.
My wife shoots this gun better than I do with .38 +P in whatever flavor you choose, but she especially likes the Federal FBI Load (158 grain LSWHP +P).
Her gun shown in the pic has an essential upgrade in my opinion, and that is the inclusion of a Hogue Mono-Grip. It soaks up much of the recoil and is much more comfortable IMHO.
I have put a few hundred rounds of 125 grain .357 JHP through this gun and the recoil is far less than people claim. You have to remember that this is not a Featherweight Smith J-frame. This gun weighs nearly twice what those do at 25 ounces. It is built like tank and can handle any load you can throw at it.
My wife can comfortably shoot .38 158 grain +P's to the tune of a couple hundred straight with this gun. Proof is in the pudding.
This is a fine revolver, and in my opinion, the most durable and toughest small frame revolver they make. It is just not as concealable or nearly as light as the competitors, but it much more comfortable to shoot.
Next thing I am adding to her SP101 is the latest style Crimson trace.
Bottom line: With the SP101 you do not need to spend a lot of money on the ultra-expensive Speer and Corbon reduced recoil loads. You have a gun that has the weight to tame them down, especially with the Hogue rubber grip.